Tamim Iqbal Returns as Bangladesh Names a 14 men Squad for Ireland Test
Tamim Iqbal (Credit: Twitter)
Veteran Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal is all set to return to Test cricket after the southpaw was named in the 14-member squad for the one-off Test against the visiting Ireland team.
Iqbal, the ODI skipper, has represented the national team in 69 Tests, in which he has scored 5082 runs at an average of a shade under 40 (39.09) with the help of 10 hundreds and a double-ton.
The stylish southpaw missed the recent Test series against India last December due to an injury. In his absence, young opener Zakir Hasan did exceedingly well as he notched up a brilliant hundred against a powerful Indian attack in the 1st Test, before scoring a near match-winning half-century in the 3rd innings of the 2nd match.
Apart from Tamim, the likes of Shadnam Islam and Ebadot Hossain are also set to return to the Test squad.
Here's what chief selector said on Tamim Iqbal's return:
"The return of Tamim will surely bolster our strength while we have also included Shadman considering his recent form,"
Abdein disappointed with Zakir Hasan missing out
The promising opener fractured his finger and, hence wasn't considered for selection.
"Zakir fractured his finger and that is the reason we could not include him in the squad and it is quite disappointing considering the fact he played well against India"
Meanwhile, this will be the first instance of Ireland playing a Test match in the subcontinent.
The one-off five-day game will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka between April 04-08.
Here's Bangladesh's squad for the Ireland Test:
Shakib Al Hasan (C), Litton Das (VC), Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Shoriful Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy